, 1887-10-26
THE SUGAR INDUSTRY OF CUBA.
Letter (No. 81 to the Louisiana Sugar Boml'
For letters No. ] and No. 2 see the st. CrOir
AUis Nos. rs, rs and 77).

effort is, in the main, to produce a sugar
such as will introduce through our custom
houses, the largest percentage of pure
saccharose, for the least amount of import
tax, in the form best adapted to subsequent
refining processes. A sugar is, therefore,
sought in the first boiling which shall, in
polarization, as nearly approach $50 test
as possible, without exceeding this, with
a color below, yet as little below No. Ii
Dutch standard as may be. Second, or mo-
lasses sugars are kept as nearly as possible
at $50 test. The accomplishment of this is
not always altogether easy, because, prl-
marily, of the richness and, more eSpeci-
ally, the purity of the juices dealt with.
In the necessity which here exists for goods
answering certain specific conditions, we
may fluid TN explanation for the presence
Of chemists at so many of the larger estab-
lishments, rather than i'll any primary
intention. through their agency, to improve
current methods of manufacture.
The color is maintained at a standard
lower than with u.s. by the relatively high
juice-liming practiced, as previously men
toned, which is very wisely carried, how
ever, so far as was observed, only to the
legitimate point of a neutral DELEGATION.
Abstinence from all washing in the centri-
fugal, besides assisting to the same end,
contributes also to a lower polarization,
at the same time increasing the proportion
of first to second product and the yield of
total sugar, at the expense only of unSala-
BILE molaSses. The practice of deliberate
and high artificial colOrilg, having no long
or arGtSOn detre, is believed to be ID matter
mostly of the past, except as all incidentof
possibly legitimate work, such as that
described i'll the employment of hard wood
aw.duS with filter press work. Vacuum
aVannpatiOn whila nopfnrmad nt innronar.
~ high temperatures, for lack Of condens-
ing water and because of poor pumps, rem
.Gers the correct thing i'll color none the
less more difficult of attainment with the
larger and better equipped places, than
with those yet using open evapOratOrS, to
the syrup point. The difficulty of too high
% test is more readily remedied than that
of too light a color, without dangerously
infringing the American tariff laws, or
seriously compromising the interests of the
r%etiners, by mixing back second sugars
enough with the frsts, either in the mixer,
as masSecuit, or after centrifugalimg, to
bring these to any required standard. The
same purpose is quite as well served by
boiling lower goods back with higher,
after the Scotch plan, as an equally pro
per performance, not, however, widely prac.
ticed, so far as learned.
As a matter OF fact, not without interest,
first sugars safely may and usually do
show slightly higher than $50, and seconds
occasionally higher than $50, since it is
nOtnriously q custom among the chem
lists, whether governmental or civilian,
at the four ports of entry which receive
the major portion of our dutiable, impOr-
ted sugars, to somewhat UNDERGRAD their
instruments in polariscopic work-a tacit
convention of such Importance as to have
led to the belief that any refusal now so to
do at either one of these would, of itself,
suffice to endanger, if it did not annihilate
the sugar trade of such port.
First sugars are boiled for a smaller grain
than formerly, to assist in a reduction of
both polarization and color and an increase
of yield, such permitting a higher inal
proof, beside readily carrying, as will be
understood, a larger percentage of dark
molasses, of low polarization, for weight.
For the same reasons, first boilingS are
Tarcly purged hot, the masse cutie being
instead, left for twenty four hours, more
O lcss, In coolers or wagons, prior to dry
ing in the machines, as practiced at Evan
Hall, i'll this State, until recently. This
delay in wagons to cool and Herewith fur
ther to crystalline finds, no doubt, more
urgent necessity with the low pressure
pans previously treated of, because of CON
struction such in these as prevents the dis
charge of highly concentrated masse cuites.
No artifcially heated wagon rooms were